Although an MRI scan today showed David Humphreys had not sustained any broken bones, the influential Ulster playmaker will still be out of action until February.

Humphreys had the scan today after injuring his left arm in the early stages of the Magners League defeat against Leinster last Sunday. It revealed bruising and soft tissue damage rather than a break.

The news comes as a blow to Ulster coach Mark McCall who will have to plan without Humphreys for the upcoming Heineken Cup fixtures against Llanelli Scarlets and Toulouse. Paddy Wallace is almost certain to stand-in for Humphreys.